You may get help with the cost of glasses or contact lenses if you are: aged under 16, aged 16, 17 or 18 and are in full-time education and eligible for an NHS complex lens voucher – your ophthalmic practitioner can advise you about your entitlement.

An NHS optical voucher provides help with the cost of glasses or contact lenses.

Who's eligible?

You may get help with the cost of glasses or contact lenses if you're:

If you're entitled to an NHS optical voucher, you can take it with your prescription to any supplier and use it towards the cost of your glasses or contact lenses.

Children under 16 and people who are registered blind or partially sighted can only have their glasses or contact lenses dispensed by or under the supervision of a registered medical practitioner, registered optometrist or registered dispensing optician.

Proving your entitlement to an NHS optical voucher

Your ophthalmic practitioner will ask you to show proof that you're entitled to an NHS optical voucher.

See the NHS leaflet Help with health costs (PDF, 104kb) for more information. This leaflet explains which documents you'll need to prove you're entitled to an NHS optical voucher.

What's the value of an NHS optical voucher?

Your optical voucher value will depend on the strength of your prescription. The more complex or stronger your prescription is, the higher the value of the voucher you'll be entitled to.

Your ophthalmic practitioner, or a member of their staff, can explain how much your NHS optical voucher is worth.